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![Joyful women rush to embrace on the softball field.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1a8348e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2001+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2F35%2F219316c64e26a045bc99ac1ce16f%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-1-rcg.jpg)
Team Japan celebrates a 2-0 win over the U.S. women’s softball team for the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![The hat and eyes of a person are visible over a barrier that has the logo of a softball pitcher.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/64715e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2001+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F67%2Faef1ccfc4699856b0d90eef5f711%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-9-rcg.jpg)
An usher peeks over the right field fence as the U.S. plays Japan in softball.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![A player falls into padding on a fence, the softball near her feet.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6791e0f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2600x2271+0+0/resize/2000x1747!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F3f%2F2e44bb06411dada29521b5b3df2d%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-11-rcg.jpg)
Japanese outfielder Eri Yamada misses a catch while crashing into the right field wall early in the women’s softball final.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![Amanda Chidester at bat.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f814644/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2582x1723+0+0/resize/2000x1335!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F47%2Ff743b5be41988e91e6e91c43ec70%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-7-rcg.jpg)
Amanda Chidester keeps a sharp eye on the ball while at bat late in the gold medal game against Japan.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![Women somberly stand on the field and hug.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0989095/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2001+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb4%2F95%2F1c2204484094a4cc776d2949ba93%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-5-rcg.jpg)
U.S. softball teammates console one another after losing 2-0 to Japan.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![Players crowd surf a man.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad90e22/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2F16%2Fbe9c28554eb2b37a57768bbf208d%2Fla-photos-1staff-812414-sp-0727-olympics-softball-4-rcg.jpg)
Team Japan lifts manager Reika Utsugi as they celebrate their win.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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